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Topic Review
miR-202 as a Novel Gastrointestinal Tract Tumor Suppressor
Numerous clinical studies have addressed the role of miR-202 in gastrointestinal tract tumors (GIT), including oral, esophageal, gastric, pancreatic, hepatocellular, and colorectal cancers, and documented a lower expression of miR-202 in tumor tissues and a tumor suppressive function of miR-202 overexpression on GIT cancer progression. In oral cancer cell lines, overexpression of miR-202 downregulated the protein expression level of the transcription factor Sp1, which, in turn, reduced cancer cell migration and invasion. Inhibition of miR-202, however, markedly enhanced oral cancer progression, indicating a suppressor function of miR-202 in this tumor type. A tumor suppressive function for miR-202 has also been proposed by Meng and colleagues in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.
  • 609
  • 24 Apr 2023
Topic Review
Role of the Antioxidants in Prostate Pathology
Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most common type of tumor worldwide and is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related mortality among men. Many experimental and clinical data have indicated the efficacy of antioxidants in preventing this form of cancer. Antioxidants play an important role in the body as they prevent damage from free radicals, molecules that attack healthy cells and can contribute to cancer risk.
  • 609
  • 25 May 2023
Topic Review
Humoral Memory Response to Snakebites in Yanomami Population
Snakebite envenomation (SBE)-induced immunity refers to individuals who have been previously bitten by a snake and developed a protective immune response against subsequent envenomations. The notion stems from observations of individuals, including in the indigenous population, who present only mild signs and symptoms after surviving multiple SBEs. Indeed, these observations have engendered scientific interest and prompted inquiries into the potential development of a protective immunity from exposure to snake toxins.
  • 608
  • 15 Nov 2023
Topic Review
Molecular Imaging in Positron Emission Tomography
Molecular imaging has become widely used in many diseases, with a particular focus on cancer care. It refers to the in vivo characterization and measurement of key biomolecules and molecular events underlying malignant conditions. Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is the gold standard in clinical molecular imaging because it possesses the high sensitivity required for deep tissue penetration and visualization of most interactions between physiological targets and ligands.
  • 607
  • 20 Jun 2023
Topic Review
Beta-Cell Dysfunction Induced by Tacrolimus
The combination of insulin resistance and β-cells dysfunction leads to the onset of type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This process can last for decades, as β-cells are able to compensate the demand for insulin and maintain normoglycemia. Understanding the adaptive capacity of β-cells during this process and the causes of its failure is essential to the limit onset of diabetes.
  • 607
  • 11 Jan 2023
Topic Review
Diagnosis of Carcinogenic Pathologies through Breath Biomarkers
The assessment of volatile breath biomarkers has been targeted with a lot of interest by the scientific and medical communities during the past decades due to their suitability for an accurate, painless, non-invasive, and rapid diagnosis of health states and pathological conditions.
  • 606
  • 15 Nov 2023
Topic Review
EV-Mediated Intercellular Interactions in Stem Cell and Plasticity
In multicellular organisms, interactions between cells and intercellular communications form the very basis of the organism’s survival, the functioning of its systems, the maintenance of homeostasis and adequate response to the environment. The accumulated experimental data point to the particular importance of intercellular communications in determining the fate of cells, as well as their differentiation and plasticity. For a long time, it was believed that the properties and behavior of cells were primarily governed by the interactions of secreted or membrane-bound ligands with corresponding receptors, as well as direct intercellular adhesion contacts. 
  • 605
  • 07 Apr 2023
Topic Review
Childhood Obesity in Kidney
The prevalence of childhood obesity and chronic kidney disease (CKD) is steadily increasing worldwide, reaching epidemic proportions. While the impact of obesity in children with CKD is less pronounced than in adults, recent studies suggest a similar trend in the child population. This is likely due to the significant association between obesity and the two leading causes of end-stage renal disease (ESRD): diabetes mellitus (DM) and hypertension. Obesity is a complex, systemic disease that reflects interactions between environmental and genetic factors. A key mechanism of kidney damage is related to metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance. Therefore, it can be speculated about an adipose tissue–kidney axis in which neurohormonal and immunological mechanisms exacerbate complications resulting from obesity. Adipose tissue, now recognized as an endocrine organ, secretes cytokines called adipokines that may induce adaptive or maladaptive responses in renal cells, leading to kidney fibrosis. The impact of obesity on kidney transplant-related outcomes for both donors and recipients is also significant, making stringent preventive measures critical in the pre- and post-transplant phases. The challenge lies in identifying renal involvement as early as possible, as it is often completely asymptomatic and not detectable through common markers of kidney function. Ongoing research into innovative technologies, such as proteomics and metabolomics, aims to identify new biomarkers and is constantly evolving. Many aspects of pediatric disease progression in the population of children with obesity still require clarification. However, the latest scientific evidence in the field of nephrology offers glimpses into various new perspectives, such as genetic factors, comorbidities, and novel biomarkers. Investigating these aspects early could potentially improve the prognosis of these young patients through new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
  • 605
  • 03 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Novel Alkaloids from Marine Streptomyces spp.
Natural alkaloids originating from actinomycetes and synthetic derivatives have always been among the important suppliers of small-molecule drugs. Among their biological sources, Streptomyces is the highest and most extensively researched genus. Marine-derived Streptomyces strains harbor unconventional metabolic pathways and have been demonstrated to be efficient producers of biologically active alkaloids; more than 60% of these compounds exhibit valuable activity such as antibacterial, antitumor, anti-inflammatory activities.
  • 604
  • 01 Mar 2024
Topic Review
LOXL2 in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
LOXL2, a copper-dependent amine oxidase, has emerged as a promising therapeutic target in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Increased LOXL2 expression in HCC has been linked with an aggressive phenotype and represents a poor prognostic factor.
  • 598
  • 02 Aug 2023
Topic Review
MiRNAs Predicting Response to Oesophageal Cancer Treatment
Oesophageal cancer (OC) is the ninth most common cancer worldwide. Patients receive neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) as standard of care, but less than 20% of patients with oesophageal adenocarcinoma (OAC) or a third of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients, obtain a clinically meaningful response. Developing a method of determining a patient’s response to NAT before treatment will allow rational treatment decisions to be made, thus improving patient outcome and quality of life. MicroRNAs are valuable biomarkers of response to NAT in OC. Research is needed to understand the effects different types of chemotherapy and chemoradiotherapy have on the predictive value of microRNAs; studies also require greater standardization in how response is defined. 
  • 596
  • 07 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Role of Inflammation in Retinal Degeneration
Retinal neurodegeneration is predominantly reported as the apoptosis or impaired function of the photoreceptors. Retinal degeneration is a major causative factor of irreversible vision loss leading to blindness. Degenerative retinal diseases are reported as heterogeneous and multiple etiological groups of disorders that hamper the vision of human beings, resulting in compromised quality of life. Retinitis pigmentosa (RP), age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy (DR), Stargardt macular dystrophy (STGD), and Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) are some examples of degenerative retinal diseases. Inflammation is the protective response of the immune system to a harmful stimulus and this stimulus could be in the form of toxic metabolites/chemicals, pathogens, damaged cells, physical, traumatic, ischemic, or other challenges. Inflammatory events are the most likely causes of progressive retinal degenerative conditions.
  • 596
  • 19 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Graphene Sensors for Biomarker Detection
The field of organic-borne biomarkers has been gaining relevance due to its suitability for diagnosing pathologies and health conditions in a rapid, accurate, non-invasive, painless and low-cost way. Due to the lack of analytical techniques with features capable of analysing such a complex matrix as the human breath, the academic community has focused on developing electronic noses based on arrays of gas sensors. These sensors are assembled considering the excitability, sensitivity and sensing capacities of a specific nanocomposite, graphene. In this way, graphene-based sensors can be employed for a vast range of applications that vary from environmental to medical applications. 
  • 593
  • 23 Nov 2023
Topic Review
Oxidative Inhibition of PTEN by Reactive Oxygen Species
Phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) is a tumor suppressor due to its ability to regulate cell survival, growth, and proliferation by downregulating the phosphoinositide 3-kinases/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) signaling pathway. In addition, PTEN plays an essential role in other physiological events associated with cell growth demands, such as ischemia-reperfusion, nerve injury, and immune responsiveness.
  • 591
  • 18 Feb 2024
Topic Review
Non-Hodgkin Lymphomas and Their Microenvironment
Lymphomas are characteristic tumors surrounded by an inflammatory microenvironment. The cells of the microenvironment are essential for the growth and survival of neoplastic cells and are recruited through the effect of cytokines/chemokines. Lymphomas include heterogeneous groups of neoplasms infiltrating various lymphoid structures which may arise from B lymphocytes, T lymphocytes, and natural killer (NK) cells at various stages of their differentiation state. Non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHLs) include heterogeneous groups of neoplasms infiltrating various lymphoid structures which may arise from B lymphocytes, T lymphocytes, and natural killer (NK) cells at various stages of their differentiation state and are characterized by a great tendency to disseminate towards extra-nodal locations.
  • 590
  • 03 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Stem Cells as Therapeutics for Ischaemic Stroke
Stroke remains one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide. Current reperfusion treatments for ischaemic stroke are limited due to their narrow therapeutic window in rescuing ischaemic penumbra. Stem cell therapy offers a promising alternative. As a regenerative medicine, stem cells offer a wider range of treatment strategies, including long-term intervention for chronic patients, through the reparation and replacement of injured cells via mechanisms of differentiation and proliferation.
  • 590
  • 16 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Effects of Microalgae on Metabolic Syndrome
Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of metabolic disturbances, including abdominal obesity, hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and hyperglycemia. Adopting a healthier lifestyle and multiple drug-based therapies are current ways to manage MetS, but they have limited efficacy, albeit the prevalence of MetS is rising. Microalgae is a part of the human diet and has also been consumed as a health supplement to improve insulin sensitivity, inflammation, and several components of MetS. 
  • 584
  • 20 Feb 2023
Topic Review
Melatonin as a Potential Therapeutic Approach in Sarcopenia
Sarcopenia is an age-related condition that involves a progressive decline in muscle mass and function, leading to increased risk of falls, frailty, and mortality. Disruption of the circadian system with age may initiate these pathways in skeletal muscle, preceding the onset of sarcopenia. There is no pharmacological treatment for sarcopenia, only resistance exercise and proper nutrition may delay its onset. Melatonin, derived from tryptophan, emerges as an exceptional candidate for treating sarcopenia due to its chronobiotic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties.
  • 583
  • 26 Dec 2023
Topic Review
Tacrolimus for Enhancing Axonal Regeneration
Peripheral nerve injuries have far-reaching implications for individuals and society, leading to functional impairments, prolonged rehabilitation, and substantial socioeconomic burdens. Tacrolimus, a potent immunosuppressive drug known for its neuroregenerative properties, has emerged in experimental studies as a promising candidate to accelerate nerve fiber regeneration. 
  • 582
  • 30 Aug 2023
Topic Review
Mesenchymal Stroma/Stem Cells and Cancer
Human Mesenchymal stroma/stem cells (MSC) are heterogenous populations of multipotent stem cells that can be obtained from different origins, and among the most commonly studied are the bone marrow, adipose tissue, umbilical cord, Wharton’s jelly, dental pulp, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The international society for cell and gene therapy (ISCT) defined MSC as being able to adhere to plastic, positively express MSC markers (CD73, CD105, and CD90), negatively express hematopoietic markers (CD14, CD45, CD34, CD19, and HLA-DR), and have the ability to differentiate into adipogenic, chondrogenic, and osteogenic lineages . ISCGT also suggested that the termed mesenchymal stromal cells be used instead of mesenchymal stem cells for any fibroblast-like plastic-adherent cells, regardless of the tissue from which they are isolated, while keeping the same acronym “MSCs”.
  • 581
  • 18 Jan 2023
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